Issue 94 – April 2015
THE LINK INCREASES DISTRIBUTION IN CHILDWALL AND CALDERSTONES AND NOW GOES INTO 21,000 HOMES
THE South Liverpool LINK has increased its distribution again to 26,000 copies per month (21,000 into homes and 5,000 into businesses)
Great News! We are delighted to inform our advertisers and readers that we have added a further 2,000 copies to our South Liverpool monthly
distribution. As of this month an extra 1,000 copies will be delivered to homes in L16 and further 1,000 will go into homes in L18.
A POLITICIAN’S GIFT By Stephen Guy
DOVE Park was one of many mansions in south Liverpool nestling in their own grounds, comfortable retreats for wealthy owners. Woolton had some impressive private estates including Strawberry Field, Woolton Heyes and Highfield. Most were developed for housing as the city grew. Dove Park mansion no longer exists but its grounds survive thanks to the generosity of a Liverpool MP and successful businessman - named in his honour as Reynolds Park. Sir James Reynolds, who was born in Woolton, acquired the estate in 1907 from the Cope family, tobacco barons.
Originally the area around Church Road was common land, one of many tracts of land enclosed during the Agricultural Revolution which changed the countryside. After many forests and woods had been cleared in the Middle Ages, land was farmed in strips rather than fields. Poor quality common land and wastelands were used for communal grazing and quarrying. The enclosure movement often caused great hardship to country people – many moved to towns and cities such as Liverpool to work. Woolton was enclosed in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars when the last remaining forests in the area were felled
to build much-needed ships. The Cope family later lived in Dove Park and remained for decades – the estate merged with neighbouring parkland in 1887. The following year the Copes built the lodge in Church Road (pictured) at the entrance to their home. Cope Brothers & Co was based in Liverpool and London. Between 1885 and 1939 the company produced about 70 sets of cigarette cards which are now highly collectable. One card was given free in every packet. A set produced in 1900 called Golfers is now worth more than £4,000. Sir James bought Dove Park from the
Reynolds Park Lodge.
Copes in 1907, moving from nearby Quarry Street with his wife and family. The son of a cotton broker, Sir James amassed great wealth during his career. He had several large properties including Oakville in Sandfield Park, West Derby (now Alder Sports Club). Sir James moved there after Dove Park was burnt down in 1921 (it was later rebuilt as Reynolds Park function rooms). Reynolds Park opened in 1930 as one of Liverpool’s most popular green spaces with its walled garden and fine trees. Sir James died just two years later. Learn more about the history of Liverpool at the Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, open 10am to 5pm every day. Admission is free.
0151 734 0666 www.suttonkersh.co.uk
26,000 copies monthly 21,000 into Homes 5,000 into Businesses